Restaurants in San Jose



Restaurants in San Jose

No matter what you are hungry for, San Jose has the restaurant for you. More than 50 languages are spoken in San Jose and you will find that rich diversity on menus all over the city. One of downtown San Jose's most established districts is San Pedro Square: Once you've entered through the historic arch, you'll find yourself in downtown San Jose's 'Restaurant Row.

American

  • Arcadia - Modern American Steakhouse,
    100 West San Carlos St.    , San Jose, ☎408-278-4555.
    ARCADIA Restaurant is the creation of internationally acclaimed Chef Michael Mina and is a true dining experience that is not to be missed. The 130-seat modern American Steak House offers guests extensive menus with innovative twists on classic American Dishes. The Sommelier can serve wine from California, Europe and beyond to enhance your dining experience. The Private Dining Room can accommodate up to 40 people. The "Wine Room", a new private dining room that can accommodate up to 10 people, is decorated with an array of exquisite fine wines from around the world. While you are sipping fine wines you will also enjoy the fabulous cuisine inspired by Michael Mina.
  • Henry's Hi-Life,
    301 West St. John St,     San Jose, ☎+1 408 295-5414.
    Lunch: Tu-F 11:30AM-2PM. Dinner: M-Th 5PM-9PM, F-Sa 4PM-9:30PM, Su 4PM-9PM. Special hours during NFL and NHL seasons.
     A brick BBQ and steakhouse popular with local guys on their way to or from a Sharks game. Located close to the Shark Tank as well as the Guadalupe River, the restaurant has survived floods of both hockey fans and water. $15-30.
  • Amato's Restaurant,
    1162 Saratoga Ave (in Maple Leaf Plaza),     San Jose, ☎+1 408 246-4007.
    M-F 11AM-10PM, Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 11AM-7PM.
    This tiny shop in West San Jose specializes in cheese steaks and hoagies. With 35 sandwiches on the menu and sizes from 7 to 24 inches, there's something for everyone.     $6-$30.
  • Gordon Biersch Restaurant Brewery,
    33 E San Fernando St,     San Jose, ☎+1 408 294-6785.
    Su-W 11:30AM-11PM, Th 11:30AM-midnight, F-Sa 11:30AM-2AM    .
    A lively downtown restaurant serving Californa fusion cuisine. Try a freshly-brewed beer and dine at a courtyard table in the (usually excellent) San Jose evening weather. Gordon Biersch is just a quick walk away from the Century 12 theaters.     $15-30.
  • Sonoma Chicken Coop,
    31 N Market St     (and 2 other San Jose area locations),     San Jose, ☎+1 408 287-4098.
    Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM    .
    Rotisserie chicken and California fusion cuisine in a casual atmosphere. As an added bonus, they brew their own beer and have a nicely sized covered patio area. $10-20.
  • Poor House Bistro,
    91 S Autumn St,     San Jose, ☎+1 408 29-BLUES.
    M-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 10AM-8PM (brunch 10AM-2PM)    .
    San Jose's "New Orleans Joint". The Poor House is close to the Shark Tank and serves a variety of New Orleans-style food including gumbo, red beans & rice, jambalaya and po' boys. They have live music on Fridays and Saturdays and a regular Jazz Brunch on Sundays. $10-15.
  • In-N-Out Burger,
    5611 Santa Teresa Blvd. (opposite the Oakridge Mall) and 2950 E. Capitol Expressway (across from the East Ridge Shopping Center), San Jose, ☎1 800 786-1000.
    This famous burger chain has "Quality You Can Taste" and is highly regarded by fast food-loving locals. They've expanded throughout the state since their 1940s inception in Southern California, but it's still a quintessential California burger experience. The "secret menu" lists items that aren't advertised but are available at every location. If you don't know what to ask for, someone else in line will probably be happy to share their secret recommendations.     $5-10.
  • Bill's Cafe,
    1115 Willow St     (and 2 other San Jose locations),     San Jose, ☎+1 408 294-1125.
    7AM-3PM daily.
    The perfect place for a weekend (or weekday) brunch, Bill's is known to get pretty packed, and for good reason. They offer an overwhelming selection of breakfast crowdpleasers like omelettes, Belgian waffles and a dozen different styles of eggs Benedict. For lunch, they serve homemade soups, meal-size salads, burgers, sandwiches and wraps. There's also a full bar, low-carb menu options and outdoor patio seating. $10-30.

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Seafood

  • Hawg's Seafood Bar,
    150 South 2nd St, San Jose, ☎+1 408 287-9955.
    M-Th 4PM-10PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su noon-9PM    .
    Voted the best seafood restaurant in the South Bay by Metro Silicon Valley readers in 2005, Hawg's is a great place to go before catching a play at the San Jose Repertory Theater, which is right next door.     $15-30.
  • Scott's Seafood Grill and Bar,
    185 Park Ave    ,     San Jose, ☎+1 408 971-1700.
    Lunch: M-F 11:30AM-5PM, Dinner: M-Sa 5PM, Su 4:30PM    .
    A classic selection of seafood, as well as pasta and steaks from the grill and a full bar. Dress is business casual during the day, and a little dressier at night. Scott's is on the 6th floor and has a fantastic view of downtown and Silicon Valley. Reservations are recommended.     $20-40.

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Italian

  • Original Joe's,
    301 S 1st St    ,     San Jose, ☎+1 408 292-7030.
    11AM-1AM daily.
    This Italian Restaurant is a San Jose classic, in business for over 50 years. Hearty American and Italian food and 70s diner decor. Always, always busy and one of the few places open late in the downtown core. Be prepared to wait for a table and leave with a full belly.     $20-40.
  • Il Fornaio,
    302 S Market St,     San Jose, ☎+1 408 271-3366.
    M-Th 7AM-10PM, F 7AM- 11PM, Sa 8AM- 11PM, Su 8AM- 10PM.
    Located at the Sainte Claire Hotel, Il Fornaio offers a true Italian experience, often importing chefs from different parts of Italy and featuring special dishes from their region. Part of a California chain, they also have a bakery, which offers specialty coffees, unique baked goods, and authentic Italian artisan breads.     $15-$30.

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Mexican

  • Aqui Cal-Mex Grill,
    1145 Lincoln Ave    ,     San Jose, ☎+1 408 995-0381.
    M-Th 11AM-9PM, F 11AM- 9:30PM, Sa 10AM- 9:30PM, Su 10AM- 9PM    .
    This place serves Mexican food as if it passed through a fun-house mirror. One of the first places to use gourmet burrito wraps. Inside the wraps you'll find fish and fillings from anywhere on the Pacific Rim: salmon, yellow-fin tuna, or plantains. Satisfying, fresh and creative.     $7-10.
  • Taqueria Corona,
    601 N 4th St,     San Jose, ☎+1 408 925-9336.
    This bright taqueria in Japantown is a traditional, leisurely, sit-down Mexican restaurant. Choose from seafood plates, chimichangas, al pastor and more. Their tortillas are homemade, and there's a nice selection of domestic and Mexican beers.     $10-20.
  • La Victoria Taqueria,
    140 E San Carlos (and 2 other locations),     San Jose, ☎+1 408 298-5335.
    7AM-3AM daily.
    La Victoria stays open late to cater to the local late-night revelers, who love their classic taqueria fare. Their claim to fame is their Orange Sauce, but don't bother asking for the recipe: they'll never tell.     $5-10.
  • Iguana's Burritozilla,
    330 S. 3rd St.     San Jose,
    10:30AM-11PM daily.
    Iguana's Burritozilla is said to have the best burritos in town. You can choose several different burrito styles, 8 types of meat and 3 types of beans. Try the "Burritozilla" if you dare - it's 17 inches long and weighs in at a whopping 5 pounds!. $5-10.

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Japanese

  • Okayama Restaurant,
    565-A N 6th St, San Jose, ☎+1 408 289-9508.
    T-Th Lunch 11AM-2PM, Dinner 5PM-8:30PM. F-Sa Lunch 11AM-2PM, Dinner 5PM-9PM. Su Dinner 5PM-8:30PM    .
    One of the older restaurants in Japantown, Okayama is still run by the original family and is known for their signature salad dressing adapted from the original family recipe. Over the years the restaurant has added new twists to their menu to make things modern and original. Their pyramid lunch specials offer a lot of food for little cash. $10-30.
  • Kazoo Restaurant,
    250 Jackson St    ,     San Jose, ☎+1 408 288-9611.
    M-Th Lunch 11:30AM-2PM, Dinner 5PM-9:30PM, F Lunch 11:30AM-2PM, Dinner 5PM-10PM. Sa Lunch noon-2PM, Dinner 5PM-9:30PM. Su Lunch noon-2PM, Dinner 4PM-9PM    .
    This Japantown restaurant has friendly service and a large selection of fresh sushi. Try sitting at their sushi boat bar, which can be a lot of fun and remove some of the mystery of ordering sushi for the uninitiated. The menu ranges from traditional to very Californian. $10-30
  • Gombei,
    193 Jackson St,     San Jose, ☎+1 408 279-4311.
    M-Sa Lunch 11:30AM-2:30PM, Dinner 5PM-9:30PM    .
    An inexpensive homestyle Japanese restaurant in Japantown. The udon and teishoku lunches are very popular, so try to schedule your lunch a little early or late to beat the crowd.     $6-14.
  • Minato Restaurant,
    617 N. 6th St. (north of Jackson St),     San Jose, ☎(408) 998-9711.
    Tu, W, Th - Lunch 11:15am -1:45pm; Dinner 5:00-8:30pm. Fr and Sa - Lunch 11:15am-1:45pm; Dinner 5:00-9:00pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.
    Good inexpensive traditional Japanese food in Japantown; favorite among locals and visitors. Only problem is that it is closed Sundays and Mondays.     $6-16.
  • Kyoto Palace,
    1875 S Bascom Ave # 2500, Campbell (in the Pruneyard Shopping Center),     San Jose, ☎+1 408 377-6456.
    M-F Lunch 11:30AM-2PM, Dinner 5PM-10PM. Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su 11:30AM-9PM    .
    This restaurant offers an exciting Teppan experience, where master chefs skillfully prepare meat, seafood and vegetables right at your table (which is also a six-foot-long grill). Great for families. They also offer sushi, and there is karaoke on Wednesday nights.     $15-30.

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Vegetarian / Vegan

  • Good Karma Vegan House,
    37 S. First St     (between Post & Santa Clara, downtown),     San Jose, ☎+1 408 294-2694.
    M-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su noon-7PM    .
    Even the local carnivores find something to love at this hipster vegan deli. The food is filling and flavorful, and the owners are friendly, mellow guys who donate what little wall space they have to local artists. They have a weekly bingo night, beer on tap and free internet access. They even offer vegan turkeys made-to-order during the holidays. Their menu is revolving, so there's always something new to try.     $5-10.
  • Dandelion Vegetarian Cafe,
    322 E Santa Clara St    ,     San Jose, ☎(408) 288-6788.
    Vietnamese, Japanese and Malaysian-inspired dishes, with a good selection of vegan items. They also serve an assortment of teas and drinks with tapioca pearls. You'll get a satisfying vegetarian meal for less than the price of a matinee movie ticket.     $5-10.

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Indian/ Pakistani

  • Royal Taj India,
    1350 Camden Ave, Campbell, CA 95008     ((between South Bascom Ave and HWY 17)), ☎(408)559-6801.
    Daily, 11:30AM- 2:30PM and 5:30PM- 10:00PM.
    Located about 2 feet from a freeway on-ramp, this isn't a place where people just wander past and decide to stop in. Locals have been purposefully feasting here for decades, enjoying a warm atmosphere, friendly staff and generous portions of authentic Indian cuisine. Many vegetarian dishes are available. Royal Taj also offers a lunch buffet, outdoor seating and takeout.     $15-$30.

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Other

  • Krung Thai.
    The Original Krung Thai, 640 S Winchester Blvd, ☎+1 408 260-8224,
    New Krung Thai Restaurant, 580 N Winchester Blvd,     ☎+1 408 248-3435.
    In spite of the building's nondescript exterior, it's some of the most loved Thai food in the area. If you tell them to make it spicy (or even medium spicy), be prepared to eat some VERY spicy food. The newer New Krung Thai Restaurant is managed by the same family, has the same menu, and is less than a mile away. $10-30.
  • Zeni,
    1320 Saratoga Ave     (at Payne), San Jose,     ☎+1 408 615-8282.
    T-Th 11:30AM-10PM F 11:30AM-11PM, Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-10PM    .
    An Ethiopian restaurant that knows how to show off the complex flavors of the cuisine. Meals are served Ethiopian style, on injera bread. A full Ethiopian coffee ceremony is available, but they ask that you request it an hour in advance. Many options for vegetarians, as well as a full bar. $10-20.
  • Hunan Taste,
    998 N 4th St    , San Jose,     ☎+1 408 295-1186.
    M-Sa 11AM-8:30PM    .
    An offshoot of Henry Chung's original Hunan Restaurant on Kearny Street in San Francisco (the one with eight tables and a counter space which was once hailed by New Yorker magazine as "The Best Chinese Restaurant in the World"). A quintessential hole-in-the-wall, but the service could not be nicer, as is the hot, garlicky cuisine, if you're so inclined. Beer and wine are available.     $10-20.
  • King Eggroll,
    1221 Story Rd    , San Jose,     ☎+1 408 999-0798.
    7AM-8PM daily.
    Often dubbed "The Asian McDonalds", King Eggroll offers a variety of fast-food style Asian dishes, dim sum, sandwiches and combination plates. As the name would imply, though, most come here for their famous egg rolls! $5-10.
  • Falafel's Drive-in,
    2301 Steven's Creek Blvd    , San Jose, ☎+1 408 294-7886.
    A family-run local favorite, there is always a line at the drive-in. They offer authentic Middle Eastern cuisine including falafel, hummos and gyros as well as hamburgers, fries and homemade milkshakes.     $5-10.

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